Tom Tan v. Heirs of Antonio F. Yamson

Summary

This case involves a broker's commission dispute between property owners (Tom Tan, Annie Tan, Nathaniel Tan) and broker Antonio F. Yamson's heirs. The Tans engaged Yamson to find buyers for their seven properties in Mandaue City under an Authority to Look for Buyer/Buyers with 5% commission. Yamson registered Oscar Chua as his buyer, and two lots were subsequently sold to Kimhee Realty Corporation represented by Chua. When Yamson demanded his commission, the Tans refused, claiming they had introduced Chua to Yamson and that the agreement required selling all seven properties. All three court levels ruled in favor of Yamson, finding no written requirement to sell all properties for commission entitlement. The Supreme Court affirmed, noting the issues were factual and that written agreements contain all agreed terms under the parol evidence rule.